Reviewed by: Gay BoltonPublished on Thurs 12th May, 2016Get your groove on in Boogie NightsThe Seventies may have been the decade that good taste in fashion forgot but banging disco hits made it top of the pops.

I’m biased, of course, as this was the soundtrack of my teenage years - as memorable as Jackie magazine, the Ford Capri car and the Pearl and Dean music which heralded adverts at the cinema.Jukebox musical Boogie Nights is a blast of Seventies chart hits, dance moves, glittery dresses and wet-look boots woven into a timeless story of young love soured by temptation.This week’s production by Southey Musical Theatre Company’ is as sparkling as the glitter ball which transforms Sheffield’s Montgomery Theatre into disco heaven.The singing is sublime, the dancing is slick, the costumes are eye-catching and the gleeful audience laps it up.Joshua Holliday and Jessica Curr head the cast as Roddy and Debs, the former a confident ladies’ man who dreams of being a rock star, the latter mouthy but vulnerable and looking for long-term love and security. Both make their characters utterly believable and shine in songs such as Play That Funky Music and I Will Survive.Matthew Bevan brings the house down as Roddy’s hapless mate Terry, testosterone raging but never quite getting it right on the dating front. He has a superb vocal range and pulls off the high notes of Sugar Baby Love with the skill of a professional.Laura Whitlock, playing Debs’ best friend Trish and Terry’s love interest, gives a lovely performance and her voice is suited perfectly to the girls’ duet Yesterday Once More.Among the show’s highlights is a belting performance of Lady Marmalade from Ria Westhead, cast as singer Lorraine who is treated harshly by her drug-dealing boyfriend Spencer, played by Ben Loy who oozes a mix of sleaze and seduction as he croons You Sexy Thing.John Crowther gives the king of Rock ‘n’ Roll a run for his money as Elvis-obsessed Eamon, the golden-voiced yet slovenly, uber-critical dad of Roddy.

Boogie Nights is directed by Mark Harris, with musical direction by Anna Wright and choreography by Carla Jane Wade.

As the Director said in his programme notes, "that the production was a loving pastiche to all things 70's" as the Company took us back for a night of nostalgia and fabulous music.

I have seen Josh Holliday (Roddy) in many productions over the last few years and, after a lot of hard work, it was great to see him taking the lead. His friends, Jessica Curr (Debs), Matthew Bevan (Terry), Laura Whitlock (Trish), Ben Loy (Spencer), Ria Westhead (Lorraine), Daniel Storey (Dean), Louise Grayson (Mandy) certainly got the most out of their characters and it was good to hear them singing songs which were "Top of the Pops" in the 70's. John Crowther (Eamon - Roddy's dad) - his love of everything Elvis and the singing of his songs was a pleasure to listen to. The ensemble were kept busy and they all looked as though they were enjoying themselves.

Having the band on stage worked very well, giving Anna (Musical Director) the opportunity to "strut her stuff" on stage also. Well done to Mark (Director) - I have only seen the show once before, and didn't appreciate the comedy at that time. Carla Jane's choreography was excellent and the movement certainly brought the songs to life. Well done to all the Stage team, Costume Design, Properties, Lighting and Sound. All members giving of their best to a first class production.

Some of our promotional photographs - photo credit Simon Wright

I believe in miracles - where you from? You sexy thing!

Burn, baby, burn! Disco Inferno!!

Lay down and boogie and play that funky music 'til you die!

I will survive! As long as I know how to love I know I'm still alive!

Bye bye baby, don't make me cry!

Let's dance the last dance tonight!

Official Show Photographs (courtesy of Alan Thompson, Nick Plummer-Walsh and Pete Miles - all images are copyright).

Opening

Opening

Boogie Wonderland - Full Company

Anna Wright (Musical Director)

BOOGIE NIGHTS ARE ALWAYS THE BEST IN TOWN!

Roddy (Josh Holliday) and Company

Celebration - Full Company

Do The Hustle - Club Dancers(Amy Roe-Parkin & Simon Addy) and full Company